Rashid announces arrival on the big stage

Afghanistan spinner Rashid Khan showed that he can cut it against the big boys taking 7 for 18 to help defend a total of just 212.
In a low-scoring first ODI in St Lucia the spinner grabbed the fourth best ODI figures of all time.
The 63 run win was Afghanistan’s first ever over the West Indies and their maiden win over one of the established powers of world cricket having previously recorded victories over full members Zimbabwe and Bangladesh.
Not only does the defeat almost guarantee that the West Indies will have to play in a qualifying tournament to reach the 2019 World Cup it places in doubt their ability to seal a place at all with Afghanistan set to compete in the same event.
That Afghanistan had anything to bowl at at all was down to a gritty knock of 81 from opener Javed Ahmadi who weathered fierce spells from Miguel Cummins and Shannon Gabriel.
Gulbadin Naib’s late hitting took him to an unbeaten 41 and helped Afghanistan reach a defendable total after the quicks and Ashley Nurse (2/34) looked like they would run through the lower order.
It was in the 23rd over of the chase that Rashid was introduced with the West Indies looking solid at 68 for 2 but that would soon change.
Jason Mohammed (7) was the first man to fall victim to the leggie before debutant Roston Chase got a first baller.
Shai Hope (35) top scored before he was brilliantly caught by Mohammad Nabi at slip off the bowling of Rashid.
Jason Holder became the second West Indies batsman to get a first baller and Rashid had four after castling the skipper.
Nurse (12) and Alzarri Joseph (27) provided late resistance with Johnathan Carter (19 off 56 balls) but the pair of lower order batsmen fell either side of the wicket of Carter.
Rashid wrapped up the victory by bowling Cummins (5) and gave Afghanistan the win and a 1-0 series lead.
The leg spinner dedicated his man of the match award to the victims of the bombing in Kabul last week: “We really needed this after losing three consecutive T20Is.
“To perform on this big stage means a lot to me. The wicket wasn’t great to score quickly. We bowled according to the plan and conditions. That made the difference. I want to dedicate this Man of the Match award to victims of the Kabul attacks. We’re trying our best to bring back smiles and happiness in whatever way we can. Please keep all of us in your prayers.”
Latest
-
News
Jonny Bairstow and Ben Stokes steady England after early losses
England unveiled a surprising team selection for the fourth Test.
-
News
Kieron Pollard hits six sixes in an over in West Indies’ T20 win over Sri Lanka
The Trinidadian shares the achievement with former India batsman Yuvraj Singh.
-
News
Paul Collingwood expects James Anderson and Stuart Broad to excel in the Ashes
Anderson and Broad’s combined age at the start of that series will be 74.
-
News
New Zealand stars Devon Conway and Martin Guptill move up in T20I Rankings
Stoinis, Southee, Santner and Sodhi among others to advance in men’s weekly update after first two matches of New Zealand-Australia series.
-
News
England axing tough to take but it was ‘best option’, admits Dom Bess
Bess is set to return to the team for the fourth Test against India
-
News
Tom Banton tests positive for coronavirus at the Pakistan Super League
The England and Somerset batsman is isolating in Pakistan.
-
News
Virat Kohli refuses to accept pitch is to blame for England’s two-day defeat
Kohli believes poor batting by both sides resulted in the game being over inside two days.
-
News
Joe Root wants England to free themselves from fear in fourth Test against India
The tourists will be hoping to level the series at 2-2 when they start the final match in Ahmedabad.
-
News
Zak Crawley vows England will be more proactive in battle against India’s spin
Ravichandran Ashwin and Axar Patel have run riot in helpful conditions.